Revelatory and profound, Turf Wars is a book about the soul of football: its degradation, and how to save it. 

Drawing from his years of unprecedented access and unparalleled knowledge of America’s favorite sport, DeMaurice Smith documents his years leading the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and explains how the NFL distorts the truth, telling partial stories to insulate itself and grow its $20-billion-a-year brand—and the players’ battles to protect themselves.

From contract negotiations to battles over suspensions, Smith shows us how the union fought to protect players from the greed, racism, and dishonesty that the league is built on. He also takes readers inside closed-door meetings and unreported conversations and confrontations with the industry’s most powerful figures, such as Robert Kraft, Jerry Jones, Tom Brady, and Roger Goodell.

Turf Wars puts every NFL crisis—both familiar and lesser known—within a broader cultural and historical context, framing the league’s extraordinary rise as a mirror to America’s own history.

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“Smith, a high-powered lawyer from Washington, D.C., had no prior ties to football—but his determination and legal acumen made him a formidable advocate for NFL players in their battles against unscrupulous and often greedy league ownership.

Fans of the game will recognize key moments in recent NFL history: the 2011 lockout, the Tom Brady “Deflategate” scandal, and Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest. Smith offers a unique insider’s perspective on these high-profile incidents and others, shedding light on the often politically charged punishments players faced.

His success, he explains, was rooted in meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of his adversaries. The book features biographical sketches of various NFL owners, glimpses into Smith’s own family background, and reflections on broader themes like corporate greed and political influence.”

Booklist Review

“A no-holds-barred look at [Smith’s] tenure at the helm of the labor union … Heartlessness was typical, in Smith’s telling, and caused him to view the ‘greedy billionaires’ running the league as ‘the same kinds of people who have traditionally accumulated power in the United States: rich, narcissistic, insecure.’ This insider account hits hard.”

Publishers Weekly

“Depicts an industry awash in bad blood.”

“Smith took the job in what looked like a hopeful new era epitomized by Barack Obama’s presidency, but his ‘idealism’ was destroyed by his dealings with the powerful men who run the game… . Smith includes memorable glimpses of star players … [and] shares fascinating anecdotes about the intrigue surrounding union votes and how some influential players are increasingly susceptible to ‘the misinformation virus.’”

Kirkus Reviews